KAHANAMOKU & TE HEU HEU

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2404, 9 March 1915, Page 7

KAHANAMOKU & TE HEU HEU

(By Paora.)

Many people wondered, perhaps, what the Maoris thought of "the Duke." I was at the To Aro Baths when the Taupo chiofta.'n, Te Heu Heu, brushed past me on his-, way- to the- starting point. _ On my stepping back he gave nis opinion on the subject to me gratis. Thus: "Where is this Honolulu Maori you call a Hawaiian?"

To those who are familiar with the Maori expression there is no doubt that the Duke would pass for a Maori anywhere, albeit on- tho land he has a slow and stately mien that is a contrast to his gait_ in the water, which resembles a tiger in its forcefulness. Conversing with Kahanamolru, I put the question to him: "Can you understand Maori?" The answer was, "A little —not very much." Considering, however, that he has not been with us more thor a fortnight, and probably had few opportunities of testing the matter, it is . evidence that the Hawaiians and the Maoris have something in common, that tras perhaps more so in former times. Sir George Grey has in his famous work on tho' Maoris, a legend called "The Legend <>f Paoa," which is described by Sir George Grey in his preface as the most important of all the Maori legends as it contains in crystal form the habits and history of tlie ancient Maori from the cradle to tho grave. _ The significance of this is that .one of the Duko's names is Paoa. ■' > , Of course Hawaiki is the traditional home of the Maori, and some identify Hawaii as the place, and it must he admitted that the words Hawaii and Hawaiki have a most striking resemblance. Again, the word for love, "aroha," in Maori, is "aloha" in Hawaiian—only a difference of a little letter.

To those who like to .theorise on these matters, euch particulars as the above must ever be of interest. _ At Lyall Bay on Sunday, at anyrate, it was evident that Maori and Hawaiian, or the "Honolulu Maori" as Te Heu Heu christened him, with his ready wit, were getting on swimmingly as Paoa appeared clad in a Maori mat, and likewise his manager, Mr. F. Evans. Te Heu Heu en famille brought up the rear, as proud as could be of his new-found cousin from far Hawaii, or Hawaiki, whichever it may bs.